On Saturday, Royal Challengers Bangalore appointed Smriti Mandhana as the skipper of the women’s team ahead of the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023. Virat Kohli and current RCB captain Faf du Plessis announced on RCB’s social media handles.
“Now it’s time for another No. 18 to lead a very special RCB team in WPL. Yes, we are talking about Smriti Mandhana. Go on Smriti. You have the support best team and best fans in the world,” Kohli said.
“It is an incredible privilege to captain RCB, what an incredible franchise and so much history and great players just walking through that dressing room. I am very confident that our women’s captain has all the attributes to lead RCB. All the very best, Smriti Mandhana. See you at the games,” du Plessis said.
Mandhana was elated and said: “ It is such a great feeling to see Virat and Faf speak so much about leading RCB and I would like to thank RCB management for giving me this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to receiving all the love and support from you fans who I am told are the best in the World. I promise you to give my 100% to lead RCB to success in WPL”.
The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 Auction took place on Monday, February 13, in Mumbai. India’s explosive left-hand batter Smriti Mandhana was the highlight of the auction as she got a whopping amount of Rs 3.40 crore from Royal Challengers Bangalore.
"Everyone knows Mandhana and Perry, we were pretty committed to the couple of people we wanted to get. we're very happy to get such quality players. it's a dream result for us to get Mandhana, Perry and Devine. Smriti has got plenty of captaincy experience and is familiar with the Indian conditions so highly likely," Mike Hesson, RCB's director of cricket, told the press on the auction day.